Chapter One: "Sea Goddess Swirl"
Setting: A Yogurt Store in Storybrooke, Maine
Time: Present Day
"UUUMMMMMMMMMM! Delicious!" Sheriff Emma Swan-Jones slowly pulled the cold spoon from her mouth. The spoonful of frozen yogurt lingered on her tongue as she savored the taste. "Smee, this is your best creation yet! What are you calling it?"
"Sea Goddess Swirl," replied the yogurt store proprietor and erst while boatswain. "I take it Mrs. Jones approves?"
"Yeah! This will sell like hotcakes - especially with all of the tourists coming in for the Sea Goddess Festival!" Emma replied enthusiastically. "I hope Baby Jones likes it as much as Momma does." Emma dropped her hand to her baby bump for emphasis.
William Smee had a knack for creating mouthwatering frozen desserts. In addition to Sea Goddess Swirl, he also made Black Jack Berry, Bumbo Banana, Grape Shot Grape and a host of other pirate themed flavors. Emma's all time favorite was Rapscallion Raspberry. Back in the hormone charged second trimester of her pregnancy, she ordered this flavor so frequently that "I'll have a Rapscallion Raspberry with a dash of chocolate sauce" became the Joneses' private code for activities even more pleasurable than eating frozen yogurt.
Presently, Smee turned to Emma's husband. "And what can I get for you, sir? Perhaps a cone of the Captain's Private Reserve?"
Emma saw her husband, Deputy Killian Jones (aka Captain Hook), exchange a sly smile with Smee. Captain's Private Reserve referred to a special batch of Rum Raisin yogurt that was actually laced with rum. Although the establishment did not sell this version of Rum Raisin to the customers, Smee kept some on hand for his captain and a few other select friends.
"Aye, a double scoop if you please, Mr. Smee ...and a copy of this quarter's Profit and Loss Statement. I plan to review it this evening after supper."
The yogurt shop turned quite a profit over the past few years. The added income from their vested interest in the store, coupled with Killian and Emma's respective paychecks from the Sheriff's Department, earned the Joneses enough income to buy a beautiful home with a spectacular view of the harbor. Emma had been skeptical when Killian first told her of this business venture. Not that reopening the store abandoned by the Snow Queen was a bad idea. But selling homemade frozen yogurt concocted by her husband's shifty warrant officer had not been her idea of a sure fire investment. Then she tasted the product and all of her doubts melted away.
As soon as the store reopened, word spread quickly and YoHoHoGurt became a popular destination for both Storybrooke residents and visitors alike. Although the store name was kind of gimmicky, Emma liked it better than Smeegurt, The Rat's Nest or Billy and Killy's, all store names that were initially considered and duly rejected. YoHoHogurt's location near the docks made it easy for Killian to check up on the store as he made his rounds for the Marine Patrol and Rescue Unit. He kept the Sheriff Department's two vessels, a slick speedboat and a small cutter, moored nearby.
"Here's the statement you requested, Sir," said Smee as he handed Killian an envelope, "Will you be eating in the parlor today or the outdoor patio?"
"Oh, it' such a lovely day," said Emma. "Let's eat outside."
Killian placed the envelope in the inside pocket of his warm weather garb. Today he wore a black SOA denim vest with two inside concealed weapon pockets.
"Oh, Killian," Emma said as they sat down at a shaded table. "I want you to put this box in the emergency overnight bag that we packed for the hospital. DON'T forget to give it to the doctor when we first go into the delivery room."
"What is it?" He asked as he took the box that she had pulled from her hand bag.
"It's a cord blood kit. I want the blood from the umbilical cord saved. Remember? Whale told us that stem cell research has progressed so rapidly doctors soon may be able to grow transplantable limbs and organs from stem cells. Newborns' cord blood has a very high concentration of these cells."
"Fascinating...why should we want that?"
Emma sighed. "In case there is ever a way to grow back your hand!"
"Oh...sorry, the hook has become such a part of me that sometimes I forget about the hand."
Emma took his good hand in hers and raised it to her lips. Her eyes told him she understood and didn't want him to feel awkward. God, how had he won the heart of such a woman?
"Okay," he softly said, "I will remember the box when you go into labor ...What are your plans for today, Luv?"
"Well, I wanted to check out the craft stands at the festival. Especially this one." Emma smoothed a map of the festival grounds onto the table top and pointed.
"Bonnie's Over the Ocean," Killian read. "Maritime Themed Clothing for Your Baby". Well, that sounds like just the place to outfit our little sailor! Perhaps I'll join you."
"Oh, good," said Emma. "But, we can't shop too long. I have to be over at the station for a meeting."
"Emma!" Killian cried. "We have been over this! Dr. Wales said that the baby could come any day now. You agreed to start your maternity leave immediately and take it easy until it is time. Your father and I can handle the station business!"
"Well, this particular meeting is with "Special Ops." I really am the only one who can handle that."
Special Ops was the name Emma gave to a volunteer civilian group consisting of herself, Regina Mills, and wealthy pawn shop owner Mr. Gold. Their purpose, of course, was to deal with any problems involving magic or, more specifically, perpetrators using magic. With the demise of Zelena (aka the Wicked Witch), the capture of Jafar and the Snow Queen's unexpected self sacrifice, Special Ops had been meeting less frequently.
"Yes," said Killian, "Quite right. But, why meet now? Everything has been quiet in the Big Bad arena for months."
"Well, Regina thinks someone has been snooping around in her vault."
"Why? Were there signs of forced entry? Was anything taken?"
"No forced entry but a page is missing from a book."
Killian scoffed. "That doesn't mean anything! Maybe the printer made an error on the edition or maybe, given the age of things locked in that vault, the page was removed long before Storybrooke even existed."
"Maybe," said Emma,"But Regina doesn't think so. She asked Robin and his men to patrol the woods around the vault entrance and be on the lookout for anything suspicious."
"It's good to see the mayor and Locksley have finally repaired their relationship. I really do like that fellow and, more importantly, he's good for Regina."
"Yeah," Emma replied. "I thought she was going to flambé me for bringing his first wife back from the past. Who'd have guessed it was a setup? Poor Robin! He had to live with that woman for so long before he could finally prove she wasn't his Marian...I still feel bad about that."
"No, luv, don't blame yourself. Everything has been set to rights now with Regina."
"Yes... and then there is sweet Belle! She finally was able to forgive Gold for lying to her about the dagger. He is lucky Belle is so understanding."
"The crocodile has the devil's own luck," smirked Killian. "Which stands to reason as he probably actually is the dev-Oouch! Why did you kick me?"
"Hi, Belle!" Emma called out after giving her husband a warning look.
Killian turned his head to see Belle Gold, Storybrooke's pretty librarian and wife of the aforementioned 'devil,' approaching their table.
"Emma!" Belle chimed. "How are you feeling?"
"Great!" said Emma. "No baby yet. What are you so extra chipper about this morning? Good news?
Belle nodded to Killian before turning to his wife.
"Emma, you'll never guess? Ariel's father finally caved! He is going to let her and Eric get married!"
"Wow! That is good news! Did they set the date yet?"
"Yes. Two weeks from the end of the Sea Goddess Festival. I'm going to be her land matron of honor. I stand next to Eric on the bridal barge while her sea maids will be just off deck in the water. I can't wait! ... In fact, Ariel is coming here today to deliver my dress. I thought I would take her out to lunch at Grannies and then we could visit the festival."
Killian felt his cell phone vibrate in his pocket and excused himself to answer it. Normally, he would curse the cell contraption as a bloody nuisance, but today he was happy for the interruption. He still did not trust the crocodile and feared he would say so in front of Belle.
"Belle," Emma said, "Are you sure you want to do that? I mean, our little celebration is cute for the tourists but it won't be anything as fantastic as Ariel sees in the mer world."
"Oh,Emma, Ariel isn't like that. She said her world is flattered that Storybrooke bought their holiday to the Realm without Magic."
"Okay, you know her best...I was just going to check out the craft stands with Killian? Wanna come with us?"
"Actually, luv," said Killian, "I can't go after all. That was David. He got a distress call from a boater stranded just north of the cape. Engine trouble apparently. I have to go rescue him. Locksley is meeting me at the dock."
"Right. Be careful out there."
"I will,luv," Killian said as he bent to kiss her. "And as soon as your shopping and meeting are finished, back home for a nap! Captain's orders!"
"Aye-Aye, Sir." She said with a smile as she watched him turn and stride away.
"How about you, Belle? Up for some shopping?"
"Oh, no thanks. I think I'll just go to the beach and wait for Ariel."
"Suit yourself. Bye!"
"Bye! Take care of the baby!"
Setting: Craft Tent at the Festival in Storybrooke
Emma looked up at the huge sign strung across the top of the tent: Bonnie's Over the Ocean. Emma stepped into the tent entrance and scanned the various baby clothes on display.
"Come in, my child," purred a disembodied voice. "We mustn't lurk in doorways. It's rude. One might question your upbringing." The voice was a deep contralto that sounded like its owner smoked too many cigarettes. If sandpaper could talk, it would sound like this voice.
"I-uh-" Emma walked in. "Where are you?"
"Here!" An woman suddenly popped up in front of Emma. Emma jumped back in astonishment. The woman was wearing a neon purple track suit into which her large body barely fit. Her short white hair was moused to a peak. A simple but expensive looking nautilus shell pendant dangled from her neck. Emma tried not to stare but the woman was wearing the brightest shade of red lipstick Emma had ever seen. Her lips almost glowed.
"Oops!" said the woman, "Sorry to startle you, sweetie!"
"You must be Bonnie," Emma replied.
"Yep. That's me... Can I help you with something, honey?"
"No, I just wanted to look around ..if that's okay with you."
"Sure, go right ahead." Bonnie said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Emma perused a collection of sailor suits and dresses behind the counter before turning to the items folded neatly on a nearby table. Mermaid themed onesies , shell motif twin sets, sea turtle sleepers and tons of other handmade baby clothes were fanned out like soft swirls in the water. Very unique!
"I see you are expecting!" Bonnie piped up. "Boy or girl?"
"Oh, we didn't find out the sex...We want to be surprised."
"Yes, of course," said Bonnie. "Do you have any names picked out?"
"Yes, we plan to name it after my husband's late brother...So Liam if it is a boy. Leah if it is a girl."
"Oh, I always loved the name 'Liam'!" Bonnie exclaimed as she clapped her hands together. "I have the most perfect little sleeper set! Here, let me show you." She handed Emma a lovely yellow sleeper with a white "L" embroidered over a starfish background as its motif.
"That's beautiful. But I was looking for something more . . . piratey!"
"If it's pirates you want, I have a whole rack over here!"
Emma forced a shaky smile before following Bonnie toward the back of tent. The woman unnerved Emma in a way that Emma couldn't quite understand. Sure, the woman might be a little eccentric but this town was filled with -uh- unique people. Was Emma's lie detector super power trying to tell her something? Well, it felt a little like being lied to; but the woman hadn't given her any information that Emma had a real need to verify. So why were the hairs on the back of Emma's neck standing up? Better make a quick selection and get out of here.
Emma picked up a little striped bib with "ARRRGHHH" embroidered on it. "I'll take this one...How much do I owe you?"
"Three dollars for the bib... oh, it has a matching sleeper. Let me show you." Bonnie pulled a small shirt box from behind the counter and removed the lid. Emma looked inside as Bonnie slowly peeled back the layers of tissue paper. Emma frowned. She saw no sleeper in the box; just a layer of blackish powder.
Bonnie puffed her cheeks and blew the powder at Emma. The black dust swirled around her like a black fog with a distinct fragrance. Emma knew she recognized this fragrance but what WAS it? Suddenly, every muscle in Emma's body froze. Then her mind identified the scent - the Enchanted Forest, Rumplestiltzkin's jail cell, handwriting turning to black powder, iron bars disintegrating - SQUID INK!
Emma could neither move her body nor summon her magic. She stood frozen with her mouth making a surprised "O". Bonnie stepped into view reciting an incantation. Whoosh! THAT sensation felt familiar too. Emma sensed something fly out of her body and into the woman's nautilus shell pendant. This phenomena had happened just one time before - when she gave Killian CPR and the spell Zelena had placed on his lips drained Emma's magic. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? This crazy old lady just stole her magic!
"Sorry about this, Angelfish," the woman said. "But, we can't have your magic messing up my plans...Now, you leave everything to me and your little guppy will be born safe from the nasty riffraff in this town."
Bonnie slowly waved her hands encasing the immobile Emma in a transparent bubble. Eight scaly black tentacles erupted from Bonnie's lower half and the black scales spread up to the top of her breasts. She then poofed herself and Emma's bubble from the tent to a spot in the middle of the harbor. No one spotted the bubble because the entire town and surrounding waters were covered in thick squid ink smoke. With a triumphant grin, the creature pushed the bubble down to the murky depths.
Setting: The Waters Outside of Storybrooke Harbor
Sporting dark glasses and wind blown hair, Killian and Robin flew through the water in the Storybrooke Sheriff Department's fast pursuit vessel. Killian marveled at the capacity of this powerboat. While the Picaroon was no replacement for the Jolly Roger, the powerboat was certainly a beauty in its own right. Made of fiberglass with a sharp, vertically rounded bow and a transom stern, the boat was 50 feet long with a narrow beam and a powerful engine delivering up to 1000 horse power.
And top speed for this particular vessel was considerable! Killian clocked the Picaroon in excess of 80 knots in calm water, 50 knots if the water was choppy. Today the water was still and Killian was running the engine at capacity, enjoying the feeling of unbridled power at his fingertips.
Too bad Killian never got to engage his fast pursuit vessel in an actual fast pursuit chase. The seas off of Storybrooke seemed to be lacking the smugglers and terrorists who frequented other parts of this realm. Though the vessel was specifically designed to outrun these types of malfeasants, it never got the chance. Instead, Deputy Jones was forever rescuing incompetent boaters who had no business on the waterways. Today was no exception.
Adrift near the rocks, this fool did not even seem to hear the Picaroon approaching. He lay casually on his stomach across the bow of his speed boat with eyes closed. As the sheriff's boat pulled closer, the man remained immobile. He wore no shirt over his cutoff denims and had his hair pulled back tight in a band. His dark beard was neatly trimmed. Hook pulled abreast and cut the engine.
"My god, Killian," Robin exclaimed, "Look at the scars on his shoulders and arms! Have you ever seen anything like that?"
"Aye," said Killian, "Sharks made those marks...The stupid sod must have been swimming in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Do you think we should call for emergency medical assistance?"
"No, Locksley. He isn't hurt. He's asleep."
Robin peered closer. Yes, Killian was right. The man was snoring softly. Unbelievable!
"OY!" Killian shouted. "YOU THERE! WAKE UP!"
The man started. He rose slowly, lazily stretched and crawled back into the boat. With a leisurely shrug, he turned to face the sheriff's vessel. Killian's mouth dropped open. BLOODY HELL!
"Is that you, Hook?" The bearded man called. "What are you about, interrupting a man's nap?"
"Killian," whispered Robin, "do you know him?"
Killian was too stunned to answer. It WAS him! He knew the man had miraculously survived those shark infested waters into which Hook had forced him. Princess Anna and Kristoff had informed them of his part in their abduction by Prince Hans. But how had he made it from the shores of Arendal to this world? It made no sense! Was he a spector? A trick of the sun and the waves and Killian's sub conscience? But, no, Locksley saw him too.
Presently Killian came to his senses. "Black Beard, you scurvy son of a bilge rat!" Hook growled in fury, "When I make a man walk the plank, the rotter ought stay dead! Surrender yourself!
"Oh really?" scoffed Black Beard, "I answer to no man, LEAST of all you! If you want me, you'll have to catch me!"
With that, Black Beard switched on his engine and took off. Hook grinned from ear to ear as he started the Picaroon up and took off in hot pursuit. Running at top speed, the two powerboats darted back and forth across the ocean surface maneuvering often within spitting distance of each other. Black Beard's vessel was fast but the Picaroon was more than able to keep up. Robin held on tightly to the rail to avoid being thrown from the boat. His bow and arrows were useless in this type of pursuit. The relentless pitch of the vessels made a clear shot impossible.
Hook pulled a deft maneuver cutting across Black Beard's bow at top speed. Black Beard banked the wheel hard to the right narrowly avoiding a collision. This knee jerk reaction stalled his engine. But, as Hook went in for the capture, a thick black fog suddenly enveloped them. He couldn't see a thing! Where was Black Beard?
"Looks like we will have to finish this another time, Hook!" Killian tried to determine the direction of Black Beard's voice but the fog was too disorienting.
"MARK my words, you one-handed cockle!" Black Beard called, "UPON THE LOVE I BORE BLACK SAM BELLAMY, I'll see you DEAD before that high born wench whelps your bratl!"
Damn this fog! Killian couldn't get a reading on the bugger's location. Black Beard's engine grew fainter and fainter until the sound faded entirely. Bloody hell! Black Beard and Black Sam Bellamy! Neither pirate bore Hook any love. Things were about to heat up along the waterways of the Maine coast!
Thanks for reading!